9-1-1

When to Call 911

Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to life, safety, health, or property, or when police, fire, or ambulance services are needed urgently.

Examples include:

• A crime currently in progress
• Someone being assaulted or threatened
• A break and enter occurring right now
• An impaired driver currently on the road
• A serious collision with injuries
• A fire or medical emergency
• A person experiencing a mental health crisis who presents an immediate risk to themselves or others

Know what's happening

Assess the emergency before you call or text 9-1-1. Not every bystander needs to call 9-1-1 regarding the same incident. Remember to:

• Stay calm.
• Listen carefully and answer questions.
• Keep answers quick and concise so telecommunicators can work efficiently.
• Answer only the questions being asked. 

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• What is the address of the emergency?
• What is the phone number you are calling from?
• What is the emergency?

If the emergency is medically related:

1. How old is he/she? (If unsure, make your best guess)
2. Is he/she awake or unconscious?
3. Is he/she breathing? (If you do not know, you will be asked to check.)

If the emergency is fire related:

1. Are you safe and out of danger?
2. Is everyone else safe and out of danger?

If you call 9-1-1 by accident do not hang up!

Telecommunicators will follow up with all calls. If you accidentally call 9-1-1, stay on the line and explain that it was a mistake to avoid emergency services from being dispatched.

Is it an emergency?

If the situation does not require police, fire or an ambulance, do not call 9-1-1. Only call 9-1-1 in an emergency. The non-emergency police line or the Pulse line may be a better number to call. See more below.

Text with 9-1-1 should only be used if a voice call is not possible, or if it is too dangerous. Texting is more time consuming and could delay emergency services response time.

Prior to using Text with 9-1-1 individuals must register for this service by visiting Text with 911. Once the cell phone number is registered with the service provider, the phone can then be used to text message emergencies to the local RES telecommunicators.

How to use Text with 9-1-1

1. Dial 9-1-1 on your cell phone. Ensure to unlock your cell phone as it may not allow you to text while in lock mode. This will establish contact with the RES telecommunicators.
2. Shortly after the call is connected, you should receive an initial text message from the RES Telecommunicators. The number will be 13 digits in length starting with 555911.
3. Reply to this text message with a brief and concise description of your emergency, including the address.
4. Keep 9-1-1 connected by voice call if possible, to allow the RES telecommunicator to hear any background noise which may be helpful in assessing the emergency.
5. Continue to text the RES telecommunicator when they ask questions regarding the emergency.
6. You will know the Text with 9-1-1 session is concluded when you receive a text message that says “END of 9-1-1 Call”.

• PULSE: 780-743-7000
• RCMP complaints line (non-emergency calls): 780-788-4000
• RCMP administration line: 780-788-4040
• Health Link: 8-1-1 or 1-866-408-5465